Asian Journal Of Social Pharmacy

Abstract: Objective To study the complex composition of epimedium and its mechanisms of inducing liver injury, and to provide clinical recommendations for reference. Methods Relevant literature from the past decade was reviewed to summarize the chemical components and mechanisms by which epimedium caused liver injury. Results and Conclusion Eight potentially hepatotoxic substances in epimedium were identified, including icariin, epimedin B, 2-Rhamnosyl Icariside II, icariside I, icariside II (baohuoside I), baohuoside II, sagittatoside A, and sagittatoside B. The mechanisms underlying epimedium-induced hepatotoxicity were primarily attributed to oxidative stress, specific enhancement of NLRP3 inflammasome activity, cholestasis, drug interactions that affected target sites and the immune microenvironment, and idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity. 

Key words: epimedium, hepatotoxicity, oxidative stress, NLRP3 inflammasome, idiosyncratic